About the Donors

About the Donors

This is a story told step-by-step about three friends

bound together by the Goddess Destiny, by Choice,

and the Three Fates of Ancient Greek mythology:

Clotho, the spinner who spins the threads of life;

Lachesis, who determines the length of life and one’s

lot; and Atropos, who cuts the thread of life.

Their stories are told from a collection of memories and from the letters of one written from many countries, largely from Greece. The three friendships continue through the legacy of her paintings since Atropos laid her inflexible hand on one friend many years ago.

Two friends, husband and wife, remain unknowing of the plans of Lachesis and Atropos.

Once A Friend Always

By Bobby L. Lind
2004

Bobby Lynn Maslen and her husband John were classmates at Rhode Island School of Design and lifelong friends of the artist Marguerite Frances Sylvia, or Peggy as known to her family and friends.  Bobby continued as Peggy’s roommate after graduation, and they both became designers of children’s clothing in New York City.  Bobby taught young children in early childhood education at Catlin Gabel School in Portland, Oregon, and created a series of five books for early readers called the Bob Books published by Scholastic, Inc. She learned quilt making at the Oregon School of Arts and Crafts which led to producing her own works for galleries, commissions and a one-person show in the Oregon Governor’s office.

Along with a fellow architect, John Maslen won an American Institute of Architects Honor Award in the early eighties for the design of a community of passive solar homes for fifteen families, still celebrated in their 32nd year.  He turned to watercolor painting and became a signature member of three societies, winning awards in the National Watercolor Society, the National Transparent Watercolor Society and a Platinum Pin for many awards in the Oregon Watercolor Society.  Most recently, he won the 2006 Sweepstakes Award from the Oregon Watercolor Society.

Bobby and John are essential partners in every way including writing and illustrating the Bob Book series. The story of their friendship with Peggy Sylvia is a heartwarming part of the gift the Maslens have given to the Hellenic-American Cultural Center.  In 2007, they entrusted their collection of Peggy’s paintings to HACCM in a 25-year loan until 2032 along with the financial resources to support the opening of the Center and to serve as curators of the art collection. With gratitude and joy, we salute Bobby, John and Peggy for their talent, devotion to one another and their inspiring generosity of spirit.